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Awards and Honors

The South Dakota Higher Education Association has a strong tradition honoring its members for their outstanding service. The many recipients of the Patrick Merrigan Award for Distinguished Service, the Marcus Boesen Memorial Award, and the Robert J. Courtney Student Leadership Award represent some of the best South Dakota has to offer in the field of Student Affairs. We have been proud to call these individuals members and friends throughout the years and are honored to continue offering these prestigious awards. Nominations are now open for the 2020 recipients of these awards.

This award is presented to a member of SDHEA who has exhibited outstanding leadership within the individual’s institution and area of responsibility and who has significantly contributed to the profession and to SDHEA. Individuals are nominated by the general membership.

Making a Difference Award(Renamed to Patrick Merrigan for Distinguished Service Award beginning in 1989)

1988 Dee Candia1987 Doug Noteboom

Marcus Boesen Memorial Award

This award is made to a SDHEA member who shows outstanding contributions to the overall development of students, to their educational institution and to SDHEA and student affairs. Candidates must be employed in their first four years in a student personnel related profession at a South Dakota post-secondary institution. Individuals are nominated by the general membership.

New Professional Award(Renamed to Marcus Boesen Outstanding Young Professional Award beginning in 1990)

1989 Unknown1988 Mary Utpadel

Robert J. Courtney Student Leadership AwardThe South Dakota Higher Education Association (SDHEA) takes pride in developing tomorrow’s leaders in student affairs. To honor one of our own leaders in campus life, the Robert J. Courtney Student Leadership Award was established. Bob enjoyed a career in student affairs that spanned over 31 years; he was a member of SDHEA for 25 of those years. This award recognizes one student annually who demonstrates leadership excellence and a desire to serve within the area of student affairs.